LITCHFIELD COUNTY NEWS
Bell to ring in New Milford for missing soldiers
Bell ringing to honor peaceThere will be a bell ringing Jan. 24 at noon to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement (Jan. 27 is the real anniversary) outside St. Francis Xavier Parish Center on the green. The agreement ended America's active involvement in the Vietnam War.
New Milford's Relay for Life kickoff is Jan. 23
Relay for Lifeready for kickoffThe American Cancer Society will hold its New Milford Relay for Life kickoff Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Bank Street Theater, 48 Bank St. The kickoff will include a luminaria ceremony, games, a video presentation, and speeches.
Dinner to benefit Rakowski family
A dinner to benefit the Rakowski family of New Milford will be held Jan. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Danbury.The dinner, organized by the New Milford Recreation Association and hosted by Anthony's Lake Club, will take place at the lake club at 10 Christopher Columbus Ave.
Youth offerings on tap at The Maxx
The Maxx on Railroad Street in New Milford will offer several events in the coming days.They will include music by Those Mockingbirds, Euphoria and others Jan. 15 with doors to open at 6:30 p.m. and the show to start at 7:30 p.m. for $8; and a sixth-grade winter dance Jan.
Public invited to Kent library events
Kent Memorial Library will offer a variety of programs in the coming days.They will include a program with Mark Robinson, author of "Smoke, Fire and Angels," Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.; a screening of "Garbage Warrior" Jan. 21, "Who Killed the Electric Car" Jan.
Naturalist to visit Roxbury this month
World-famous naturalist and author George Schaller of Roxbury will present "A Naturalist in the World's Wilderness" at the Roxbury town hall Jan. 24 at 3 p.m.Sponsored jointly by Minor Memorial Library and the Roxbury Land Trust, the program at the 29 North St.
NMHS Boosters to host benefit gala
The New Milford High School Booster Club will hold a Green Wave Gala dinner-dance and silent auction March 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight.Festivities will be at The Fox Hill Inn in Brookfield.Tickets are $85 per person and will include a cocktail hour, dinner, dessert, dancing, an open bar, a silent auction and a raffle.
Get a 'grasp' on carpal tunnel syndrome
Band to play Jan. 22 concert at the MaxxThe Maxx on Railroad Street in New Milford will feature a concert by Those Mockingbirds, Euphoria and other bands Friday, with doors to open at 6:30 p.m. and the show to start at 7:30. Cost is $8.A sixth-grade winter dance is planned for Jan.
Roses & thorns
ROSES to those postal delivery workers and employees of FedEx, UPS and other delivery services for their efforts, especially during the holiday season and the cold, snowy winter months, to be sure each and every package arrives in one piece, safely and as close to on time as possible.
Questions legal costs for the police contract
To the Editor:Concerning the New Milford police contract dispute, according to the article by Nanci Hutson in the Jan. 9 News-Times, starting officers earn $42,000 per year and, after five years, earn $53,000.That is an average of $47,500 per year.
Lauds generosity of New Milford area residents
To the Editor:With the holiday season now behind us, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Greater New Milford community on behalf of the New Milford Social Services Department.Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to help an unprecedented number of families and individuals.
My town has much beauty to offer
Sometimes it feels like it was 100 years ago that I used to house-sit for my sister and her husband while they went on vacation with their kids.They've been living in New Milford for 25 years now, and I swore back then that I would never live here.At that time I was working at The News-Times in Danbury and the commute alone was enough to make me feel that way.
Are laws pressing our Constitution to change?
To the Editor:Before 1776 American Nationals had only one problem which was the King of England.The Declaration of Independence by Jefferson, Adams and Franklin, items were listed that called people to resist:Among them were, "imposing tax on us; erected a multitude of new offices and sent officers to harass our people and eat out their substance; combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution.
Appreciates efforts of staff at Huntington...
To the Editor:To all the staff at the Huntington Learning Center, Cristina Matta, director, Jeff Perrillion, coordinator, and all the teachers, we would like to thank all of you for helping our children with their educational needs. Their confidence has increased and they are more comfortable in their classrooms.

IAIS announces winter programs
The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington will offer a variety of programs in the coming weeks.They will include a winter film festival Jan. 16-17 at 2 p.m. each day, a winter survival walk Jan. 23 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., winter games Feb.
Washington Parks & Rec notes
The following are programs offered by Washington's Parks & Recreation Department.Programs must be pre-paid. Application forms are available outside the Parks & Recreation office during Bryan Memorial Town Hall hours. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.
Students earn honor roll at Shepaug Valley Middle...
The following students at Shepaug Valley Middle School in Washington were named to the honor roll for the first marking period.8TH GRADEHigh honorsEmily Chin, Amy Dwyer, Kelsey Hall, Michael Leslie, Tia Martino, Thomas McCluskey, Quinn O'Malley, Nathan Ong, Amanda Payne, Josephine Purdy, Hannah Redstone, Shaelyn Rourk, Kathleen Shusdock, Nathaniel Steers, Kimberly Valentine, Dana Walker, Taylor Weston, Sarah Williams and Clara Wolfe.
Montessori students reach out to those in need
Students at Washington Montessori School and their families recently donated coats and clothing to people in need in the community.More than 50 people in New Milford received winter coats and 45 families in Waterbury received clothes. In early November, the school's Outreach Team conducted a clothing drive at the school and, as a result, new and slightly used garments were delivered to area social service agencies before Thanksgiving.
Blood drive dedicated to Blake Roy
The Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington will sponsor an American Red Cross blood drive dedicated to Blake Roy Jan. 12.The drive will run from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Washington Montessori School at 240 Litchfield Turnpike (Route 202).Blake, 6, has neuroblastoma stage IV.
Gunn Museum staff to read from archives
Staff from the Gunn Museum in Washington will read from the paper "A Sabbath in New England," by Henry Ward Beecher Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. at the senior center in Bryan Memorial Plaza.
Sign up underway for New Beginnings
New Beginnings of Northwest Connecticut is accepting registration for its upcoming divorce support group in Washington.The group will meet Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 5 and running for 10 weeks.The group is designed for people who are separated or currently in the process of divorce, as well as for people who are beyond the initial crisis of divorce but may still be struggling with unresolved issues relative to the loss of their intimate relationship.
Gunn Museum to hold 2010 party
The Gunn Museum on Wykeham Road in Washington will ring 2010 with an old-fashioned Victorian tea party Jan. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m.Registration is suggested, but not required, by calling 860-868-7756.
Community sing slated in Roxbury
The Shepaug Friends of Music will present its fifth annual Messiah Community Sing Dec. 27 at 4 p.m. at Roxbury Congregational Church on Church Street.The event will feature four soloists and a community chorus accompanied by a string quartet, organ, trumpet, harpsichord and timpani, all under the direction of returning conductor Christopher Shay.
Students earn Shepaug Valley High honor roll
The following Region 12 students at Shepaug Valley High School in Washington were named to the honor roll for the first marking period.SENIORSFirst HonorsAlison Carini, Andrew Catania, Nicole Deanne, Kathryn Droessler, Christina Dumas, Luis Garcia, Nicholas Gueniat, Charlotte McConaghy, Janine Parker, Aimee Reutzel, Samian Roy, Marina Scanlon, Kimberly Seeger, Nichole Souza, Lindsay Walsh, Catherine Wolk and Megan Woodruff.
'Rachel's Challenge' on tap at SVMS
Shepaug Valley Middle School in Washington has rescheduled a special presentation, "Rachel's Challenge," for students Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.The program is based on the life of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine tragedy.Students' family members are invited to attend.
Christmas concert set at Salem Covenant
The Salem Covenant Church in Washington will present its annual choir concert and carol sing Dec. 19 from 5 to 6 p.m.The four-part choir will sing a varied program of Christmas music under the direction of Susan Anthony-Klein.For more information, call the 96 Baldwin Hill Road church at 860-868-2794.
Shepaug boys' swim schedule
Note: Home meets in caps.12/16 WAMOGO12/18 AVON12/22 LEWIS MILLS1/2 SACRED HEART1/5 WAMOGO1/6 LITCHFIELD1/12 HOLY CROSS1/15 Simsbury1/22 NEW MILFORD1/26 GILBERT1/29 Northwestern2/5 Lewis Mills2/9 HOUSATONIC2/13 Gilbert2/17 Housatonic2/19 LITCHFIELD2/24 NORTHWESTERN3/5 Berkshire dive3/6 Berkshire swim3/11 State class S dive3/13 State class S trials3/17 State class S finals3/19 State open dive3/20 State open swimCoach: Todd Dyer
It's all about the river Housatonic Valley...
A full house of Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) supporters was on hand Dec. 6 at Bryan Memorial Town Hall in Washington for the environmental group's 19th annual benefit auction.Proceeds will be utilized by the HVA to forward its environmental programs concerning the Housatonic River and its watershed areas.
Shepaug girls fall to Wamogo
WASHINGTON, Conn. -- Caycee Williams scored seven points to lead a balanced attack as the Wamogo girls basketball team defeated Berkshire League rival Shepaug 38-19 on Tuesday. Janine Parker led Shepaug with eight points.WAMOGO 17 8 7 6 -- 38SHEPAUG 3 2 6 8 -- 19WAMOGO (38): Sam Finch 1 2-2 4; Meagan Murray 2 0-0 4; Naomi Valentine 1 0-0 2; Paige LaBonne 1 3-4 5; Megan Layman 2 0-1 4; Kerri Stolle 3 0-0 6; Rachel Kohout 0 0-0 0; Caycee Williams 1 5-8 7; Morgan Grambo 1 0-0 2; Katie Koley 1
Washington food drive to end Wednesday
WASHINGTON -- A food drive to benefit Washington residents is scheduled to end Wednesday.Nonperishable foods, paper products and other goods may be dropped off at the transfer station on Blackville Road.Cash will also be accepted, and the donors will be given a receipt.
Christmas bazaar set at St. Andrew's
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Route 202 in Marble Dale will hold a Christmas bazaar Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Gunnery to present holiday concert
The Gunnery, a private school in Washington, will hold its annual holiday concert Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on the Green in Washington. The Gunnery Troubadours will sing Vivaldi's "Magnificat," John Tavener's "A Christmas Round" and some Christmas carols.
Slices with Santa to be held in Washington
The Washington Volunteer Fire Department and JD Tuckers will co-sponsor the second annual Slices with Santa Dec. 13 from 2 to 8 p.m.The event will be held at JD Tuckers at 38 Bee Brook Road.Santa is expected to arrive at 3 p.m.The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with proceeds to benefit families in need
'Holiday in the Depot' on tap in Washington
The town of Washington will hold its annual Holiday in the Depot event Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.Festivities will include the lighting of the town Christmas tree at 6 p.m. at town hall in Bryan Memorial Plaza.There is no rain or snow date.Santa will arrive shortly after the tree lighting and will be available to meet and have his photograph taken with children at town hall.
HORSE announces Christmas open house
HORSE of Connecticut in Washington will hold its annual Christmas open house Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Tours of the farm, visits with the rescued horses and shopping in the Christmas boutique and at silent auction table will be available at the 43 Wilbur Road farm.
Spartan boys' basketball
Coach: Matt Perachi, 12th season.Assistants: Jimmy Lowe (varsity assistant), Chris Dennis (JV), Matt Hill (freshmen).2008-09 results: 15-10 record; won the Berkshire League tournament; qualified for the state class 'S' tournament.Graduation losses: Jason DePecol, Nat Kay, Ethan LaBella, Troy Scribner.
Spartan frosh girls' basketball
Note: Home games in caps:12/14 WAMOGO1/7 THOMASTON1/14 Nonnewaug1/21 LITCHFIELD1/28 Wamogo2/4 Thomaston2/11 NONNEWAUG2/18 Litchfield
Spartan frosh boys' basketball
Note: Home games in caps:12/19 Wamogo1/7 Thomaston1/14 NONNEWAUG1/21 Litchfield1/28 Wamogo2/4 THOMASTON2/11 Nonnewaug2/18 LITCHFIELD
Spartan girls' basketball
Coach: John Spear, 2nd year.Assistants: Al Ciarlo, Jody Schroeder.2008-09 results: 9-13 record; qualified for the state class 'S' tournament.Graduation losses: Berkshire League all-star Riley Brigham, Jackie DeVito, Rachel White.2009-10 captains: Claudia Bierce, Gwen Clair, Janine Parker.

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